What Gun Cleaning Kit Do I Need? A Veteran's No-BS Breakdown

Discover the must-have tools every shooter needs in a real gun cleaning kit, designed by veterans and tested in the field. This no-nonsense guide breaks down the best CLP, brushes, rods, and magnetic mats to keep your firearm in peak condition. Whether you're a first-time gun owner or a seasoned AR-15 user, this guide shows you exactly what works and why.

CLP bottle in use on an AR-15 during outdoor cleaning session

What Gun Cleaning Kit Do I Need? A Veteran’s No-BS Breakdown

Why a Proper Cleaning Kit Matters (and What Most Kits Get Wrong)

Cheap kits break. Coated rods scratch barrels. Brushes wear down fast. If you've trusted your life to a rifle, you know weapon failure isn't an option. Your cleaning tools should be just as reliable. Here's what most kits miss—and what every serious shooter needs instead.

"I’ve had rods snap mid-cleaning during a combat deployment. That’s not something you forget."

The Must-Have Tools in a Real Cleaning Kit

Universal Brass Rods Aluminum bends. Plastic flexes. Only solid brass rods with compressive bearings ensure a safe, effective bore clean without damaging rifling.

Wool Star Chamber Pads Specifically for AR-15s and modern sporting rifles. Designed to trap and remove carbon from hard-to-reach chamber lugs.

Bore Brushes & Jags Use bronze for deep fouling. Nylon for sensitive parts. Match your bore size.

CLP (Cleaner, Lubricant, Protectant) Forsaken Industries CLP does three jobs in one. It's non-toxic, odorless, and field-proven to work in sand, snow, and sweat.

Carbon Cleaner Designed for suppressor use or heavy carbon buildup. Works where CLP alone can't.

Magnetic Cleaning Mat Steel-core magnets embedded inside a padded mat hold pins, bolts, and springs so nothing rolls away.

Detail Swabs and Picks Tight corners? Trigger assemblies? Extractor cuts? These reach it all.

Bonus Tools Serious Shooters Use

Kits Built for Every Kind of Gun Owner

AR-15 and Tactical Rifle Owners You need star pads, suppressor-safe cleaners, long rods, and CLP that won’t burn off under heat.

Pistol Owners Compact kits, shorter rods, non-toxic for indoor use.

Shotgun Users Oversized bore brushes, padded jags, and strong cleaning mats.

Beginners Don’t guess. Start with a Tier 1 bundle—everything you need, nothing you don’t.

Why Forsaken Industries Kits Are Built Different

See It In Action Forsaken Industries Gun Cleaning Kit

FAQ - Answering What Competitors Miss

Is CLP enough or do I need solvent too? CLP is great for general use. For suppressors or caked carbon, you'll want a dedicated carbon cleaner.

Will this work for my Glock, Mossberg, or Ruger 10/22? Yes. We build for universal compatibility. Different brush heads cover everything from .22 to 12 gauge.

Is this kit safe indoors? Absolutely. Our CLP and Carbon Cleaner are non-toxic, odorless, and safe for confined spaces.

Do real shooters use this? Yes. Veterans, active-duty personnel, law enforcement, and competitive shooters rely on Forsaken Industries gear.

Ready to Upgrade Your Cleaning Kit?

Stop wasting time with weak tools. Get a kit that works when it counts.